Sidewalk Stories

Sidewalk Stories As if old sidewalks and buildings themselves could actually speak, these walks lend voices to old village features, and interpret their mute meanings.

Sometimes, people look around at an old town, and say "There are stories here, no doubt about it." But then, nobody is around to give voice to the stories from the past. Except for these "Sidewalk Stories." For two hours during a two mile walk, the stories that are "TOLD" by the old buildings and structures in Richmond, Illinois will be heard, out loud, clear as day. History that is hiding in plai

n sight will step out from behind the curtain, like, and give a little wink, take a little bow. In simple terms, these are walking tours of historic features in a richly evocative little village. Emphasis: WALKING. On sidewalks and the old railroad trail, along the original BROAD WAY, and into a smidgeon of woodland floor. Victorian houses - real beauties! - and some "early settlement" houses. Downtown stores both from before and after the "big fire" (in 1902). THE VIEW that convinced Richmond's first settler that "this is the place" and persuaded him to stake his claim, build his cabin. The marker stone of the first burial in 1839, which was on family ground, but became Richmond's cemetery. Schools, churches, water powered mills that are STILL STANDING 175 years later. A Depression-era "hobo highway." Stuff like that, but given voice, BROUGHT TO LIFE, like. Sidewalk Stories - Richmond!

07/04/2022

Yep. Still open for business here at Sidewalk Stories. Have not been very active with posting on this page lately. But if you're interested in a walk or have questions, give me a call at 815-814-6342. John Shiel

Richmond fall fest, 2021. Saturday afternoon.
10/25/2021

Richmond fall fest, 2021. Saturday afternoon.

10/22/2021

Are you up with old number 90? That's the ramshackle old building built in 1844 that sits on the Southeast corner of Mill and 12. Kitty corner from doyle's. This weekend is a two-day Fall festival in Richmond. The group that just purchased old number 90, called The McConnell foundation, is hosting three events each afternoon on the property there on the corner. All related to local history. I've agreed to do a brief history presentation at 2:00 on Saturday afternoon.
Freebie.
Will be tag teaming in the presentation with Mrs Rommy Lopat, author of The recent book about Richmond founder William a mcconnell. A great chance to learn about the book, the author, the town, and its history.
Freebie.

10/02/2021

Dublin, Hebron, and Johnsburg. How bout that?

07/07/2021

Dear friends and fans,
It has taken us a while to post this because we are heartbroken.
Leif Anderson, our husband, father, boss and our shop's third generation of leadership, passed away on June 29.
He had just turned 71.
Although Leif had been hospitalized with a rare illness since early May, his death came as a shock to all of us. We may choose to share more details later, but for now, thank you for giving us time and space to grieve.
What is important for you to know is that Anderson's Candy Shop is not going anywhere.
We will post again about Leif as we can bear it. And as is appropriate.
We are thankful for your patience with us as we navigate these next few months.
Leif truly loved you all.
- The Anderson family

04/28/2021

So, the doors are open in the lights are on for 2021.

Sidewalk Stories Richmond is ready to schedule your custom walk. When you want it, for the friends you want it with. Phone me up at 815-814-6342 and we'll figure out the details. Costs are basically $10 a person. But for groups under 5 there's a minimum fee of $50.

Since we are custom scheduling, we can talk about special needs or interests you may have. Someone in a wheelchair or walker? We can adjust. Limited walking ability? We have figured out some Creative Solutions with groups in the past, just on the fly. Should be even better if we figure it out ahead of time.

Looking forward to you walking with you.
John Shiel

10/20/2020
10/04/2019

The rather grand house on the pic for the Oct. 5 Sidewalk Stories walk is a line drawing that appeared in the 1872 plat book for McHenry County. It was the second home built by the very first settler to Richmond township, and it is still standing. In fact, it stands in beautiful shape. AND it adorns the cover of a new book about that guy, his family, his farm, and their very extensive role in establishing Richmond, Illinois. The "house on the cover" is the very last stop we make on every Sidewalk Stories walk.

Was going to add an image 1872 drawing of McConnell house number two, but face book would not let me. How about that? No worries. I always carry a copy of that book about McConnell and his accomplishments and family and gigantic thumbprint on Richmond, in my shoulder bag for every walk.

Just becuz...
08/23/2019

Just becuz...

There's a great new book out, published about last Christmas or so, about the first settler in Richmond Township. Willia...
08/05/2019

There's a great new book out, published about last Christmas or so, about the first settler in Richmond Township. William a McConnell. The book title is something like montelona Farm, William a McConnell etc etc. Copies can be purchased online from the publisher, Lulu.com. On yesterday's walk I think I gave a wrong name for the publisher, off by one letter, but still... the book is written by Rommy lopat. She and her husband John bought the McConnell farmhouse on the southside of Broadway in 1987.

Whether you're a teacher, photographer or hobbyist, share your expertise. Create & self publish your book today!

Backstory?
08/02/2019

Backstory?

An extremely well-heeled crowd rolled through Richmond, coming and going each day to the big Illinois city on the lake. ...
06/09/2019

An extremely well-heeled crowd rolled through Richmond, coming and going each day to the big Illinois city on the lake. Returning to their homes on the deep glacial lake just north of the Illinois border. This train had its paying customers, and then it had its PAYING customers! The big lads kept the rail line running strong from shortly after the big Chicago Fire in 1871, until Automobiles and Roads got good enough to take over. The top tier of wealthy commuters did not ride in the car pictured here. Several of them had their own personal rail cars that were part of the train. At least that's the story as I have heard it.

05/29/2019

Local chances to touch history, experience time travel, go back in time, etc... There are a few, not many. Lake Geneva has a weekly walking tour on, I think, Thursday evenings. Beloit has an occasional walking tour. The coolest nearby thing In my experience is a restored water powered grist mill on the west side of Beloit. Always had a tough time picturing what those were like, how they worked, how they sounded... This one actually operates. And is shown off and explained by the fellows who did the hands-on restoration 25 years ago. Well worth the drive time! (My Sidewalk Stories Richmond walks feature a pretty rich vein of water powered mill lore, including the mill sites themselves.)

Next Saturday, the first walk in June. June 1st, at 10:30 am. Shifting to the morning starts for the walks in June, July...
05/26/2019

Next Saturday, the first walk in June. June 1st, at 10:30 am. Shifting to the morning starts for the walks in June, July, August, and September. Always a good move to Reserve spots for you and your group. Somewhere just north of 20 people, manageable group size maxes out. Unfortunately, latecomers must be politely directed toward later walks. Possibly a later, second walk on the same day. Everything is negotiable, except for providing a good experience for those on the walks. Phone or text me to reserve at 815 - 814 - 6342.

05/10/2019

The director at the Geneva Lakes Museum just won an award for tourism promotion in the area. Well done! Lake Geneva has a guided walk around the town on a weekday evening every week through the summer. You might want to check it out. In McHenry County, only one town has regular guided walks through the warm season. Richmond. By the way, there's a sidewalk stories guided walk in Richmond tomorrow, May 11th, starting at 12:30 pm.

Broadway Road in Richmond. Yesteryear, big time. These two antique structures always merit a stop and some talk on the s...
04/06/2019

Broadway Road in Richmond. Yesteryear, big time. These two antique structures always merit a stop and some talk on the sidewalk stories walks.

11/19/2018

Final Sidewalk Stories walk of 2018 is THIS SATURDAY Nov 24. Dress for the weather and come out for the banquet of backstories!

Each of these three stained glass windows is dedicated to community members of Richmond who worshipped here. Richmond Co...
11/19/2018

Each of these three stained glass windows is dedicated to community members of Richmond who worshipped here. Richmond Community Church on Broadway.

Richmond's proud, new school, as of about 1861, right along the walking route for Sidewalk Stories!
11/02/2018

Richmond's proud, new school, as of about 1861, right along the walking route for Sidewalk Stories!

Finally, the next walk in Richmond is approaching. October 13. Too long since the last one in early September, at least ...
09/28/2018

Finally, the next walk in Richmond is approaching. October 13. Too long since the last one in early September, at least too long for my taste. Biggest new story is this new book, almost published. Will have a copy along for the walk.

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Sometimes, people look around at an old town, and say "There are stories here, no doubt about it." But then, nobody is around to give voice to the stories from the past. Except for these "Sidewalk Stories." For two hours during a two mile walk, the stories that are "TOLD" by the old buildings and structures in Richmond, Illinois will be heard, out loud, clear as day. History that is hiding in plain sight will step out from behind the curtain, like, and give a little wink, take a little bow. In simple terms, these are walking tours of historic features in a richly evocative little village. Emphasis: WALKING. On sidewalks and the old railroad trail, along the original BROAD WAY, and into a smidgeon of woodland floor. Victorian houses - real beauties! - and some "early settlement" houses. Downtown stores both from before and after the "big fire" (in 1902). THE VIEW that convinced Richmond's first settler that "this is the place" and persuaded him to stake his claim, build his cabin. The marker stone of the first burial in 1839, which was on family ground, but became Richmond's cemetery. Schools, churches, water powered mills that are STILL STANDING 175 years later. A Depression-era "hobo highway." Stuff like that, but given voice, BROUGHT TO LIFE, like. Sidewalk Stories - Richmond! ONE SATURDAY PER MONTH thru the 2018 “warm” season. Always 10:30-12:30.

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